Every morning at Logos from 7:30- about 7:50, there are staff devotions in one of the classrooms. Today, was my turn. You have to know something about me, I am the most social person you could ever meet, and love people, love to talk to people… individually. But when you put me in front of a group, to speak, I break out in sweat and am very nervous. 

Acts 16:6-10 (New International Version)

 

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

 6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

One of my colleagues told me there was a rugby game tonight and it was showing at the Gym Bar, which is one of the only sports bar (according to the phnom penh drinking and dining booklet) in Phnom Penh. I don’t think any of my other colleagues really wanted to go, but I wanted to watch rugby and be in that atmosphere. I went to the sports bar earlier this week and loved it. So I decided to drag two colleagues with me and we went after dinner. (In which I had a great burrito)

South Africa VS. Australia. The Gym Bar was packed with Australians, yelling, shouting and cheering. We only stayed for the first half and I was standing the whole time because there were no seats. I loved the atmosphere, I loved watching rugby… but it made me miss home a lot and thought about home through out the night. 

First of all, I miss being able to walk into Sahara, give a hug to all the staff there and saying hi to the customers that I would know. It made me happy going there. I guess, not only Sahara but in HK in general… bumping into friends all over the place. There won’t be anywhere else in the world where you can’t really go out into the city without bumping into someone you know. As well as the atmosphere of Soho, where there are crowds everywhere, sports bar everywhere, hearing people cheer and go crazy. Though they might be a tad wasted.

Secondly, I miss rugby. Watching the game reminded me of the first and probably last rugby season that I will have. I miss being the scrum half, being the kicker of the team, making conversions and going crazy over my team mates doing the hulk. 

Girls, I know it’s been a while since our season but thanks for making it the best sports season I’ve had. Thanks for introducing the game to me and being the best team mates ever. Being able to laugh and cry together, celebrate wins and losses together. Cracking jokes on and off the field. Making fun of Tash and her future babies. Making fun of Mai and her japanese cuteness, and that HUGE girl she totally tacked down. Chloe and her lack of english speaking skills. I can’t even write down all of our crazy stupid fun intense memories. Way too many to count. 

But you girls introduced me to a new way of life. kind of. To all of you who are now in college, though our HKIS sevens girls rugby career is over, we have built amazing friendships that we will keep throughout our life. To the girls still playing at HKIS, have a great season. (Though it will never be as good as the last!) Train hard, play hard and make us proud! But most of all, have fun. We have to have a reunion next summer sometime. 

(I wake up every morning, look over my bed counter top, see the photo framed of us rugby girls at prom and smile!! It makes me day thinking about it)

Have a great rest of the weekend, 
-Jo

Apologies, I haven’t had much time to write the last few days. By the time I get a chance to slow down and perhaps start writing, it was time to go to bed if I wanted to be even half awake at work the next day. 

I have kept myself busy and the Lord has provided friends as well as many event invitations. Though I don’t say yes to all of them because of the limited time that I have, it is a blessing knowing that they want to spend time with me and took care of me. 

Friday night was a crazy night for the weather in Phnom Penh. A few of my colleagues and I went to a mall to have Pizza Company and were going to go to a Logo’s teacher and staff dessert gathering afterwards. But the weather acted up, and it started pouring. It was flooding the streets up to perhaps about one and a half feet. Tuk Tuks were getting stuck on the street and some even walking trying to push their tuk tuk going. So plans changed and one of my colleagues and I decided to head to the boys home instead and spent some time with them… along with movie night! 

I even shock myself when I say I woke up at 5 AM on Saturday to go play soccer at the olympic stadium here in PP. I went with Tess, who is a colleague but also a close friend here, Vanny and Jonathan (two boys at the house). Vanny invited us and because it was his last day in town, Tess and I dragged ourselves out of the bed at 5:10 in the morning and went to play soccer. It was quite fun being out exercising that early in the morning and seeing hundreds of people also out at the stadium playing basketball, badminton, aerobics, or simply just running. 

The weather acts up very strangely here. One minute it can be beautiful blue sky with no clouds, and the next 5 minutes… it could turn to black clouds and starts pouring in the matter of seconds. I got caught in the rain a few times today. 

At the boys home last night, was a farewell and goodbye party for two of the boys who are heading off to Thailand for college today. We had a round table, popcorn style good bye where everyone was allowed to say a memory or something they appreciated about the two boys. The comments that were made were amazing. We felt the spirit of the Lord in the room watching over as each spoke. 

Throughout the night, I got to talk to people one and one and got to know some of them, the girls as well as the house parents of the boys home. I was very tempted to jump out of the conversation to hop into the basketball game, but I did not and am very glad that I had the chance to get to know them. 

It is pretty incredible watching all the boys play together, like family. Making jokes at each other and yet loving each other unconditionally. Though I have only been here for two weeks and hung out at the boys home just a few times, it has seemed like a home away from home. and I’m very thankful for that. And because of that, I look forward to getting to know all of them better (the girls included) through this year.

On a side note, when I said I was going to head home after the party, long story short… about a little less than 10 guys walked me home. I felt very safe and it was good fun. Perhaps a little too much testosterone for one night though. 

Sunday, I went to church, hung out at the boys house and said my goodbyes to the two boys heading to college in Thailand and the rest of the afternoon was very relaxing. Vannak, Rind and I went swimming at a hotel by the riverside. It was very much needed and oh so nice. 

And here’s another week starting…. but looking forward to this weekend!

It’s only been a week, but it feels like months.

The beginning of a new journey. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. I have been to Cambodia multiple times before but each time no longer than a week… or less. Each time going to the airport, I was the one checking in and getting on a plane but this time was different. Sending my parents off was not easy, and still- hours later.. I’m trying to hang in there.

It was a strange feeling going to the airport in Phnom Penh and not leave, it made it so much clearer that I was. actually. staying here relatively long term. Though I didn’t see my parents all that much this week, it was nice to have them around.. to have dinner with them and go around town in a tuk tuk.

Thankfully, Vannak, one of my great Khmer friends here, went with me so it wasn’t too painful. Riding on his moto going home.. I didn’t say a word but it was nice to have company. The next few hours, whoever asked how I was doing, I couldn’t help myself but to tear up. I don’t enjoy being weak and teary but it was hard to hold back.

I think it wasn’t only the fact that I was sending my parents off that is killing me.  It’s that it reminds me of home. Hong Kong. the bright lights in the city. The tall buildings. The harbor that keeps getting smaller and smaller. The amazing night life. The safety. the MTR. This Music Studio. Sahara. Movie theaters… Etc. I will save you the boredom because this list can go on forever.

With all that being said, there was a reason God put me here and as hard as it will be, it will be an amazing year. There will be times where I will want to break down and I will, but I will regain strength through God. As I go through each day, He is making me stronger.

I really am by myself now. The beginning of something new.

I’m in Cambodia at the moment… but yes we do have televisions, if you were wondering. I tagged along with a friend to her friends house to watch the opening ceremony. August 8th, 2008.

I have to admit, I didn’t really relate the date to the opening of the olympics until today. That is pretty sweet. Not only that, the ceremony definitely blew me away. The lighting, the synchronization of all the performances, the creativity, the amount of work that must’ve been put into making this one of the best opening ceremonies.

Though with that being said, once they started introducing each country and the team walked out… I started to doze off. I got quite sleepy and in general, bored. It was necessary to introduce all the teams but lasted way too long. Not something I would sit and watch again.

I am very impressed with the result that Beijing has worked so hard to achieve. I’m proud to be Chinese, and to be a part of the growing country that is gradually taking over. China has spent the most money on those 4 hours than any previous olympic opening ceremonies. I am curious to know what the comparison is to pervious years.

During the night, someone asked “Why is it the security so tight to get into China? Why don’t they want anybody to get in? Wouldn’t it be great for tourist attraction?” which lead to a conversation with my parents. Beijing, China… already has such a huge population that they don’t exactly need tourist to come in. There are many people who come into Beijing from the different provinces just a few hours away.

Olympic being held in Beijing, for China, is not so much trying to attract tourist to come to Beijing… but perhaps is a chance and a way to show the rest of the world what China is capable of. And they did exactly that.